Pemberton pipe bomb revealed as hoax

Teens blamed

A
pipe bomb found in Pemberton’s Zurcher Park has been revealed as a “hoax bomb.”

However,
it’s design was authentic enough for local RCMP to decide to call in the
Explosive Device Unit from Vancouver to deal with the device, consisting of
Plexiglas ends, a section of tubing and a wick.

A
witness described object as a “Roman candle launcher,” a homemade device used
to launch fireworks and possibly the handiwork of teenagers. The police reports
point to a more sophisticated device.

A
resident of the subdivision that surrounds the park called in a report of a
suspicious package to the RCMP late Sunday morning. At approximately 11:45 a.m.
Nov. 20, Pemberton RCMP arrived at the park to investigate the concern.
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The
RCMP were joined by the Pemberton Fire Department and Stl’Atl’Imx Tribal Police
to cordon off park access. The EDU arrived just before 3 p.m. and deployed the
RMI9, a robot also known as “a remote mobile investigator,” to gather more
information on the device. The RMI9 brought the package back to the EDU van where
it was rendered safe by the EDU. By 5:45 p.m., the police and fire department
had left the scene.

>The
information was sent to the Canadian Bomb Data Centre where it was determined
that the device was a hoax bomb.

Asked
to determine the cost of such an operation, Jones said it was impossible to put
a dollar value on bringing all of the resource together to deal with the hoax.

“The
Explosive Device Unit is a shared police resource and responds to any police
requests and uses any resources available,” explained Jones.

As
a hoax, this offense will likely carry with it a charge of mischief, which
under the Canadian Criminal Code is subject to a maximum two-year prison term.

While
there are currently no suspects in the case, the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Whistler-Pemberton detachment of
the RCMP at 604-932-3044.